There are many ways to enjoy Japanese rice porridge, whether you're feeling sick or just hoping to warm up after being in the cold. By adding things such as meat, eggs, and vegetables, you can make a hearty and filling meal out of simple ingredients.
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Although the term setsubun refers to the turning of any season in Japan, only one of the four annual occurrences is a well-known holiday. On February 3, the Japanese usher in spring with purifying rituals.
Got the winter blues? What you need is nabemono and warm sake, a Japanese tradition. Find out how it all works here.
In Japan, people often cook with fresh, in-season ingredients. During the cold month of December, hakusai (nappa cabbage), kabu (turnips) and daikon radishes are the perfect accompaniments to many hearty and warming dishes.
Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal, Winter
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: January’s San Ga Nichi, Nanakusa and Kagami Biraki
The month of January brings three of the most significant holidays in Japanese culture: San Ga Nichi, the first three days of the new year; Nanakusa, when the Japanese esat seven-herb porridge; and Kagami Biraki, the opening of the mochi.
Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal, Winter
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: December’s Toji, Christmas Eve and Omisoka
In Japan, December means three major holidays: the winter solstice celebration, known as Toji; Christmas Eve; and Omisoka, the New Year's Eve purity rites, which take place in both the shrine and the home.
This winter, get out of the cold weather and visit a Japanese Food mecca south of the equator like Singapore, Easter Island and Hawaii.
When cooking Japanese food in season, choose carrots and mung bean sprouts for the month of January. They add plenty of flavor to a wide variety of traditional Japanese dishes, as well as nutrition and health benefits.
Do you see cold nights in your near future? If so, turn them into an opportunity to gather your friends and practice your sake-serving skills with this guide.
Osechi ryori is a celebratory meal in Japan, enjoyed during the New Year holiday and shared with family. The foods that comprise osechi ryori each have its own meaning and symbolism, many representing health, wealth, and happiness for the new year.
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Quick & Easy Recipes
Soy sauce, mirin, and sake mixed in the golden ratio are the key to the secret sauce behind this yummy and authentic Ginger Pork Shogayaki. Learn how to make this quick and easy dish at home with our recipe and video.
Eat healthy with this quick fried rice recipe! Perfect if you want to eat something healthy but are in a rush.
Make an authentic Japanese simmered daikon radish with chicken soboro using our handy recipe. This dashi-broth-infused dish is simple yet elegant and packs a lot of flavor, making it perfect as a side or main dish for many different occasions.
Top off some homemade sushi or create a snack platter for your next party with tamagoyaki. This sweet and savory Japanese omelet will soon become one of your favorite ways to prepare eggs at home.
Freshly harvested edamame beans meet the crispy goodness of deep fried rice in this classic traditional Japanese food recipe from the Akita prefecture of Japan. Make some today with our easy-to-follow recipe and video!
Karaage is a common side dish found in many lunch boxes, and a very popular dish for dinner. It also serves many, so it's perfect for a party!
Skewered grilled chicken covered in Teriyaki sauce is the perfect dish for everything from afternoon barbecues to formal dinners, and our easy-to-follow chicken tsukune recipe and video has everything you need to make it at home!
Combining flavorful ingredients like pork belly and shiitake mushrooms with classic Japanese seasonings like mirin and dashi, this hearty tonjiru soup will delight friends and family when you whip it up in your home kitchen.
Edamame is a popular appetizer, and goes well with ice cold beer! Put a little more effort in the edamame to make it even tastier!
Ready for the ultimate easy to make nutrition-packed vegetarian meal yet? Then let's make this Shio Kombu tofu salad! This heart-healthy and flavorful salad is a versatile dish that can be whipped up in a matter of minutes.
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Umeboshi is a traditional food in Japan enjoyed as a snack or as part of a meal. The different kinds of fermented ume plums are mostly sour and salty and deliver quite a flavor!
Inaniwa udon is a different type of udon noodle and is one of Japan's best regional dishes. Made using a centuries-old recipe, Inaniwa udon was also once given as a gift to the Shogun each year.
Gluten-free ramen noodles are the perfect alternative to ramen noodles that can't be enjoyed if you have a gluten intolerance. They taste and feel just like regular ramen noodles.
Eating healthy does not have to be boring. Packed with minerals and antioxidants yet sporting a rich flavor, this black sesame and okra salad is a nutritionally charged appetizer or side dish that also tastes so delicious.
Amazake is a Japanese beverage known as sweet sake, and it is packed with vitamins and nutrients. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, all-year-round.
With a creamy green tea filling and nutty black sesame, this macaron combines the best of east and west into a delightful treat unlike anything else on earth. Make them right in your home kitchen with our easy to follow recipe and video.
